







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Girls, this is Diego. | |
| Wow, that's unbelievable, is it yours? | |
| Bacon and eggs with some olives is enough for me. | |
| Okay, so do you want me to make 3 serves? | |
| Why do you think it's weird? | |
| You are very funny mate. | |
| Hi, is your cat okay? | |
| I think I'm going to order some duck, it's delicious. | |
| Are they older or younger? | |
| Why? What's wrong? | |
| I don't have time to cook everyday. | |
| Okay, what temperature do you want me to set it at? | |
| Exactly, one of them is asking for 3,500, the other one is 3,000... | |
| Nope, it gives me a headache! | |
| No worries, I have got a peeler for you! | |
| Do you like red or white onions? | |
| What's the date today? | |
| The rice section is over there. | |
| Which appointment? Do you mean the house in Angel? | |
| Exactly, I hate getting woken up in the middle of the night! | |